University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
17 Gopher Hockey Alums Set for NHL Opening Games
10/3/2018 11:55:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – Seventeen Gopher Hockey alums will start the season on NHL rosters as the 2018-19 campaign begins tonight with four games. Among the representatives from the University of Minnesota are three Stanley Cup champions (Nick Leddy, Phil Kessel, Travis Boyd) while another Gophers alum (Jake Bischoff) will look to make his NHL debut with the league's newest team.
Minnesota's 17 NHL alums on opening night rosters are tied for most among NCAA programs.
Gopher Hockey Alums on NHL Opening Night Rosters
Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson
Vegas Golden Knights: Jake Bischoff, Erik Haula
Florida Panthers: Nick Bjugstad
Washington Capitals: Travis Boyd
Arizona Coyotes: Alex Goligoski
New York Islanders: Nick Leddy
Toronto Maple Leafs: Justin Holl
Pittsburgh Penguins: Phil Kessel
Minnesota Wild: Nick Seeler
New York Rangers: Vinni Lettieri, Brady Skjei
Buffalo Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt, Kyle Okposo
Montreal Canadiens: Mike Reilly
Detroit Red Wings: Thomas Vanek
Winnipeg Jets: Blake Wheeler
Notes: Gopher Hockey has featured a Stanley Cup champion in each of the last three seasons as Phil Kessel won back-to-back cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 while Travis Boyd was part of Washington's Stanley Cup run in 2018…former Gophers teammates Mike Reilly and Justin Holl face off in the first game of the NHL season with Toronto hosting Montreal…Jake Bischoff looks to become the 120th Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL this season as the First Team All-Big Ten and 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year opens the season on Thursday when Vegas hosts Philadelphia…The University of Minnesota tied a known NCAA record with 26 NHL alums last season including seven former Gophers who made their NHL debuts in 2017-18.
The 98th season of Gopher men's hockey will see the Maroon & Gold take the ice for the first time under new head coach Bob Motzko, who returns to the University of Minnesota after helping the program claim back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003 as an assistant coach. Minnesota opens the season against the defending national champions in Minnesota Duluth with a home-and-home series (Oct. 6-7).
Minnesota's 17 NHL alums on opening night rosters are tied for most among NCAA programs.
Gopher Hockey Alums on NHL Opening Night Rosters
Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson
Vegas Golden Knights: Jake Bischoff, Erik Haula
Florida Panthers: Nick Bjugstad
Washington Capitals: Travis Boyd
Arizona Coyotes: Alex Goligoski
New York Islanders: Nick Leddy
Toronto Maple Leafs: Justin Holl
Pittsburgh Penguins: Phil Kessel
Minnesota Wild: Nick Seeler
New York Rangers: Vinni Lettieri, Brady Skjei
Buffalo Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt, Kyle Okposo
Montreal Canadiens: Mike Reilly
Detroit Red Wings: Thomas Vanek
Winnipeg Jets: Blake Wheeler
Notes: Gopher Hockey has featured a Stanley Cup champion in each of the last three seasons as Phil Kessel won back-to-back cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 while Travis Boyd was part of Washington's Stanley Cup run in 2018…former Gophers teammates Mike Reilly and Justin Holl face off in the first game of the NHL season with Toronto hosting Montreal…Jake Bischoff looks to become the 120th Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL this season as the First Team All-Big Ten and 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year opens the season on Thursday when Vegas hosts Philadelphia…The University of Minnesota tied a known NCAA record with 26 NHL alums last season including seven former Gophers who made their NHL debuts in 2017-18.
The 98th season of Gopher men's hockey will see the Maroon & Gold take the ice for the first time under new head coach Bob Motzko, who returns to the University of Minnesota after helping the program claim back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003 as an assistant coach. Minnesota opens the season against the defending national champions in Minnesota Duluth with a home-and-home series (Oct. 6-7).
Highlights: Gophers 2, Michigan 4
Friday, February 27
Highlights: Gophers 4, Michigan 2
Thursday, February 26
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 3
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 2
Friday, February 13